Japanese fishermen have captured a rare albino dolphin and killed 11 other dolphins in a shallow cove , according to conservation activists protesting the hunt .

The albino dolphin currently sits in a small holding pen where it is being trained to eat dead fish and adapt to human interaction , said members of the Sea Shepherd conservationist group , which monitors dolphin hunts in the region .

They speculate the rare dolphin will be sold for up to $ 500,000 to be displayed in captivity .

The controversial hunt takes place annually between September and March in Taiji , Japan . Most dolphins are killed for their meat , while some are sold live to aquariums around the world .

Locals defend the hunt , a long-held tradition , as no different than slaughtering any other animal for meat .

But activists say the hunt is driven by greed .

`` This brutal hunt is carnage carried out in the name of profit , not culture , '' said Melissa Sehgal , a Sea Shepherd campaign coordinator . `` These dolphins do not belong to Japan ; they belong to the ocean . ''

The group says that 15 pods of Risso 's dolphins have been slaughtered in the cove since this year 's hunting season began , with approximately 170 Risso 's dolphins killed .

The Taiji Town Office declined CNN 's request for comment on Sea Shepherd 's newest report .

READ MORE : Dolphins killed as Taiji 's controversial hunting season resumes

Japan officials defend controversial hunt

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Japanese fishermen have captured a rare albino dolphin and killed 11 other dolphins

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Activists speculate the rare dolphin will be sold for up to $ 500,000 to be displayed in captivity

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Locals defend the hunt , a long-held tradition in Japanese town of Taiji